Music and Writing
I found a way to procrastinate this past week and decided, to lessen my Irish-Catholic guilt, I would write about it.
This is a question for writers reading this blog, published, struggling, or wannbe writers. Do you listen to music while writing?
I do. I discovered, a form of procrastination, that when I have to begin a chapter, looking at the blank screen, I write listening to classical music. I should point out, that I have Sirius satellite radio and it offers many musical choices.
Back to the subject.
For whatever reason, I am more relaxed while trying to create when listening to classical music. It might have to do with no vocals to clutter my mind. I don’t know anything about the music other than I like some classical music. Not sure why. My usual music tastes go back to the country music of the 70s forward to the early 90s. Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Jeff, Waylon, Johnny Cash, Jerry Reed. I put on classical music stations (there are two of them on Sirius) when writing and my mind seems to relax, allowing me to begin my story.
When I self-edit, I listen to the oldies station. I wonder why editing and oldies go hand-in-hand? Maybe I’m sub-conscientiously remembering that during my youth I dreamed of being a published writer and the songs playing kick that memory in.
Sometimes, when the chapter I am rewriting or editing has to do with bar life in Key West, I will listen to Margaritaville Radio and at other times I listen to the Boss’ station. Not too often, but once in a while, I will listen to the folk station, but I like the folk of the ‘60s best and if I really need fold music during my writing I have all Bob Dylan’s old stuff, his real folk music.
Country music, you ask? I listen in my car whenever I’m riding around or on a long trip. Thing is, I can think through chapter problems, or story problems, with the country CDs playing. No problem! Wonder why that is? Any shrinks out there with an answer for me?
If you’ve read my column in the past, you know I feel reading is as much a part of my writing as the time I spend at the computer. When I read, I need total silence! Maybe I was a librarian in another life. But not music, no TV, just quiet. Okay, if I’m my the stilt house reading, I let the birds chirp.
Some writers aren’t as lucky as me, I have my own writing room at home and always my space below the house. I know writers who rent studios in Key West and others that write with the kids running wild in the evening.
I still get up early to write, but since I’m behind deadline, I find myself writing longer and sometimes into the afternoon, with self-editing in the evening.
My Sirius Radio gets a lot of chances these days. Do you listen to music when writing? Need solitude? Need riots erupting next to you? What? Let me know.
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